COARS operates as part of the University of Southampton and has therefore adopted an advisory board to help oversee the enterprise unit's work and output quality.
COARS is a joint venture between Ocean and Earth Science and Archaeology, supported by Research & Innovation Services, at the University of Southampton. As a result, all activities undertaken are overseen by an advisory panel composed of experts and representatives from the fields of Archaeology, Oceanography, Marine Geophysics, Marine Geomorphology and Business Enterprise. This ensures that COARS is able to undertake its work to the highest standards in an ethical manner.